Water heater



W/ B. THAYER FeB. 10, 1931.

WATER HEATER '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March '7, 1929' (1m up Patented Feb. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES WILLIAM B. THAYER O F COLUMBUS, GEORGIA WATER HEATER Amplicationv filed. March 7,

The present invention relates to water heat-' ers of that type in which a flame is caused to play around a water coil and upon the inner surface of a caslng onto the outer surface 5 of which water from the coil is delivered.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of heater which will operate efiiciently and will obviate objections to waters as now constructed. The invention is lllustrated 1n the accompanylng drawing and will be hereinafter fully described and particularly defined.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a heater embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 22 of Fig. 1, the cover of the casing being partly removed.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a truncated conical body 1 which constitutes a casing for a water coil 2, and which is disposed concentric with a burner 3 for gaseous fuel, when set up for use. Upon the outer side of the body, which is a single integral structure, are a plurality of spiral O grooves 4 leading from the top of the body to the lower edge thereof and discharging into a gutter 5 which encircles the lower end of the body. The body is preferably of aluminum to avoid corrosion and reduce weight, and the grooves are V-shaped in cross section and are as deep as possible so as to retain the water effectually and obtain the most eflicient heating. A cover 6 fits closely about the outer side of the body, as shown clearly in Fig. 1, to prevent overflow from the grooves and also prevent dust or other foreign matter collecting in the grooves. The water coil 2 is of copper and is disposed concentrically within the body or casing and its inlet end secured in a fitting 7 formed or'mounted on the lower end of the body, said fitting being provided with a valve 8 and receiving the end of the water supply pipe 9, as will be understood. The upper portion of the coil is 5 formed into an axially extending straight outlet portion 10 secured centrally in the bottom of a head 11 which extends across and is secured firmly on the upper end of the body. The head also fits snugly in the lower 50 end of a stack 12 which is secured around a 1929. Serial No. 345,086.

flange 13 on the body and leads into a chimn ey to carry off the waste products of combustlon, openings 14; being provided through the head for the outflow from the body. Formed within the head is a distributor ring or rosette 15 which, atits center,- communicates directly with the discharge end 10 of the coil and is provided withlateral passages 16 delivering the water into a collector ring 17 which forms a part of the head and hasopenings 18 through its bottom for the passage of the "water into the spiral grooves 1. At some point in the gutter or trough 5 is a threaded opening 19 inwhich is fitted one end of a pipe for carrying thehot water to a point of use. a a

At onepoint on the outer wall of the gutter 5 is a lug 20 and studs 21, the studs and bolts 22, carried by the lug, being fitted in a bracket 23 tolevel and'support the body. The bracketis firmly secured at one end to a wall or other fixed support and atits free end is formed with a vertically extending opening through which is secured the mixer 24 carrying the burner 3 at its upper end and having a valved coupling 25 at its lower end for the attachment of the gas pipe 26.

It will be noted that the burner is disposed coaxially with the coil so that the greater volume of the flame tends to pass upward through the coil and play directly upon the several turns of the same, and through the coil are inserted baflies 27 whereby the flame will be deflected to play directly upon the inner surface of the conical body. It is also to be noted that the burner is provided with lateral jets in its side wall which throw flame directly on the body, the course and form of the flame being clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

It will be readily understood that by properly adjusting the valves 8 and 25 according to the temperature of the water and the pressure of the gas supply, an ample supply of hot water may be obtained quickly with an economical consumption of fuel. The inflowing water rises through the coil and is heated therein and then passes into the head whence it escapes in a plurality of fine streams into the spiral grooves down which it flows to the bottom gutter, being further heated by its contact with the hot body.

The device is free of soldered joints which are apt to open under the heat and the downflowing Water passes over the entire surface of the body so that the body will resist distortion and rupture for a long time. There is ample ventilation so that the chance of an explosion is practically eliminated.

Having "fully described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A water heater comprising an upstanding hollow conical body open at its upper and lower ends and having spiral grooves in its outer surface extending from the upper to the lower end of the body, a Water coil within the body having an upwardly extending outlet end projecting through the top of the body, a cup seated on the upper end of the body and having an inlet port in its bottom connected to the outlet end of the coil, an annular partition arranged in the cup and forming with the Wall of the latter, an annular channel, radial passageways extending from the port through said partition into said channel, ports in the bottom of the cup for discharging Water from the latter into said grooves, a conical cover enclosing said body and having an upstanding annular flange, an outlet flue surrounding the cup and engaging said last mentioned flange, and a burner having outlets to direct flames on to said coil.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

YVILLIAM B. THAYER. 

